Exactly why the Proteas waited until England had them by the throat, gasping for survival, battling to avoid another series shellacking before producing their best batting performance beggared belief.
But masterful centuries by openers Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock led South Africa to a die-hard seven-wicket win over England in Centurion yesterday.
Chasing England's 318/8, De Kock starred with a knock of 135 from 117 balls that would have won any match. He overshadowed an exquisite Joe Root 125 (113), which threatened to close the series prematurely.
This match was a walk to the gallows for the Proteas - back to back home series defeats to England looming - while the visitors gladly wanted to chaperone the troubled hosts towards a potentially embarrassing demise.
Before the game Amla spoke about each of the remaining three matches in the five-game ODI series being finals and he and De Kock opened the chase as such.
Amla was measured and mature, and swatted his way to 127 from 130 balls.
De Kock was exuberant when reaching his 10th ODI ton from 96 balls.
The pair kept apace of the required run-rate and in the process they outdid Andrew Hudson and Gary Kirsten's record opening wicket partnership against England - 156 in 1996, also set at this ground - with their 239.
De Kock is fast becoming South Africa's money man, the guy you can bank on for quick, handsome runs. He has now converted two-thirds of his scores over 50 into centuries.
England bowlers served the 23-year-old a buffet of length balls, too straight, which he dispatched with ease.
Although South Africa's attacking hadn't started well, it surprised Titans coach Rob Walter that England chose to bat first. Kyle Abbott and Kagiso Rabada offered meaty lengths and gave away cheap width first up, although both finished with two wickets apiece.
After Jos Buttler brainlessly ran himself out, Alex Hales and Root put together 125 runs for the second wicket. Hales got to third straight half century (65) before Rabada had him caught by Morne Morkel at fine leg.
At the other end, Root was regal. England's most consistent performer this summer took his exploits from the test arena into the ODIs - profiting with his second century on tour and his sixth score over 50 in 11 innings across both formats.
Proteas return to form
Exactly why the Proteas waited until England had them by the throat, gasping for survival, battling to avoid another series shellacking before producing their best batting performance beggared belief.
But masterful centuries by openers Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock led South Africa to a die-hard seven-wicket win over England in Centurion yesterday.
Chasing England's 318/8, De Kock starred with a knock of 135 from 117 balls that would have won any match. He overshadowed an exquisite Joe Root 125 (113), which threatened to close the series prematurely.
This match was a walk to the gallows for the Proteas - back to back home series defeats to England looming - while the visitors gladly wanted to chaperone the troubled hosts towards a potentially embarrassing demise.
Before the game Amla spoke about each of the remaining three matches in the five-game ODI series being finals and he and De Kock opened the chase as such.
Amla was measured and mature, and swatted his way to 127 from 130 balls.
De Kock was exuberant when reaching his 10th ODI ton from 96 balls.
The pair kept apace of the required run-rate and in the process they outdid Andrew Hudson and Gary Kirsten's record opening wicket partnership against England - 156 in 1996, also set at this ground - with their 239.
De Kock is fast becoming South Africa's money man, the guy you can bank on for quick, handsome runs. He has now converted two-thirds of his scores over 50 into centuries.
England bowlers served the 23-year-old a buffet of length balls, too straight, which he dispatched with ease.
Although South Africa's attacking hadn't started well, it surprised Titans coach Rob Walter that England chose to bat first. Kyle Abbott and Kagiso Rabada offered meaty lengths and gave away cheap width first up, although both finished with two wickets apiece.
After Jos Buttler brainlessly ran himself out, Alex Hales and Root put together 125 runs for the second wicket. Hales got to third straight half century (65) before Rabada had him caught by Morne Morkel at fine leg.
At the other end, Root was regal. England's most consistent performer this summer took his exploits from the test arena into the ODIs - profiting with his second century on tour and his sixth score over 50 in 11 innings across both formats.
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